September 25, 2008

Have you ever wondered why monkeys are so commonly associated with bananas? I have. I mean, it's not like they don't eat other things, like spiders.

Now before you say anything, yes, I baked. You didn't expect me to quit completely, did you? This time, I didn't share with my immediate co-workers but instead took the goodies to another department. The reactions I received from those folks were much more favorable, and who knows--maybe word will get back to my office area and jealousy will ensue. Maybe there'll even be an inter-departmental battle for my delicious treats.

Maybe not.

Moving on. I had some bananas loitering in my freezer that I really wanted to use. I initially wanted to make monkey bars so I could segue into my love of that particular playground apparatus. (I could really fly across those suckers.) In the end, however, I chose to go with a bread, using an ice cream concoction from Cold Stone Creamery as my inspiration. Their creation is called "Monkey Bites," and it combines banana ice cream with pecans, coconut, Nestle crunch bar, and bananas.

So I ask again--what does it have to do with monkeys? Rabbits also apparently love bananas, so why can't it be called Bunny Bites? This is the kind of stuff that keeps me awake at night.

But I digress. The base recipe is for peanut butter banana bread, and I simply added chocolate chips and pecans into the batter, and coconut on top (of some). Voila--mission complete.

These are not your typical muffins or bread. The batter was extremely stiff--in fact, I truly believe I could've made cookies out of it. This was further validated by the fact that the spoonfuls (there was certainly no pouring to be done) didn't spread at all in the muffin cups--their shape was exactly the same before and after baking. That's not to say the result wasn't delicious--it was. It was just a bit more dense and cookie-ish than I expected.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line or spray a muffin tin, loaf pan, or other suitable baking vessel.

In a large bowl, stir together the flours, sugars, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, combine the mashed bananas, milk, peanut butter, oil, vanilla, and egg (I blended mine with a mixer). Add the wet mixture to the flour mixture, stirring until just combined. Toss the chocolate chips and pecans with a bit of flour and stir into the thick, thick batter.

Spoon the batter into the prepared dish. Bake about 15 minutes for mini muffins and about 30 minutes for mini loaves, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Try not to overbake.

I think having these little beauties on my counter is what would keep me up at night! Now I want to go to Cold Stone and try that ice cream. Maybe you can pitch the idea to them and have chunks of this put into the ice cream...works for me!

Oh god, I think I'm in love. They got rid of banana ice cream at the Cold Stone here and I'm boycotting. They probably won't notice, but I miss my Monkey Bites! Also, I ordered the Peanut Butter Perfection with Banana Ice Cream instead of chocolate and called it The Elvis. But alas, no more. I might be making these this weekend!

You show those ungrateful coworkers that you have other people who are more appreciative of your sterling efforts! And don't forget to walk past really slow with these treats to make them especially sad for the loss... ;)

The banana chocolate muffins I make are dense too - hmmm..wonder what the combination is that gives that end result. Re the coworker thing - you bring in alot of goodies - start selling them and inspire your office to make a donation to charity by buying a "whatever".

I love the idea of an inter-departmental war - it'd be like Star Wars, at work, over DESSERTS - love it. Your creations deserve nothing less.

The questions that keep you up at night are not unlike my own. Like, why is my favorite ice cream, Moose Tracks, called "Moose" tracks? What in creation does that ice cream have to do with a Moose? On that note, why don't we call more than one Moose "meese"????

You are too much, this was hilarious. Glad your office treats are getting the attention they deserve in the other department! They certainly look like the kind of treat that would help my afternoon go smoothly at the office! I think you cold stone creamery inspiration was just plain GENIUS and I may peruse there next time I'm home for some ideas of my own.

Thanks for your help with ya'll -I knew if anyone could help a sister out it was you!

Guess people feel more at ease with stereotypes (it simplifies their already complicated life) and that's how bananas are now associated with monkeys (spiders will have to wait).Love your inter-departamental startegy ;) and I would change departments for your muffins!